Liam's smile was slow, deliberate—like he already knew the outcome of this little game.
I didn't like that.
"You didn't answer my question," he said.
I tilted my head, keeping my expression unreadable. "Didn't I?"
Liam let out a low chuckle. "You're good, Celeste. But not good enough."
I hated how my pulse reacted to the way he said my name. Like he was tasting it. Like he was savoring the moment before he decided what to do with me.
I could still hear the faint sounds of the party echoing from the other side of the penthouse. Out there, people were drinking, laughing, dancing.
In here?
I was standing in a vault, holding a fake file, while the most dangerous man in the city cornered me like a hunter sizing up his prey.
"So tell me," Liam continued, "how does this end for you?"
He wasn't asking what I planned to do. He was asking what I thought he was going to do.
And that was the real power play here—he wanted me to admit he was in control.
I let out a soft sigh, shifting my weight slightly. "That depends."
"On?"
"On whether you're the type to punish people who intrigue you…" I let my voice drop just slightly, watching his reaction, "or the type to keep them around."
His jaw ticked. Just a fraction. But I caught it.
Interesting.
"And which would you prefer?" he asked.
Prefer?
I preferred not getting shot. Or locked up. Or worse.
But Liam Kingston wasn't the kind of man you begged for mercy from. He was the kind you negotiated with.
I took a slow step forward.
"I think," I murmured, "that if you wanted to kill me, you wouldn't have let me keep talking."
Liam hummed, as if considering my words. Then, to my surprise, he reached into his jacket and pulled out—
A business card?
"Tomorrow. Noon." He held it between two fingers, waiting for me to take it. "You're going to meet me here."
I didn't move. "And if I say no?"
His smile sharpened. "Then I'll assume you were working for someone else. And I'll hunt you down until I get my answer."
A shiver ran down my spine. Not just from fear—but from the absolute certainty in his voice.
He meant it.
I took the card.
"Good girl," he murmured.
I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me at the door.
"Oh, and Celeste?"
I glanced back.
"Next time you try to steal from me, make sure I don't see it coming."